Town Boosts Oxford Community Centre

Oxford Town Council went behind closed doors last week and when they emerged, they announced revised support for the Oxford Community Centre, proposed by an ad hoc, volunteer committee.

Councillors approved a contribution of $200-thousand dollars over five years — $40-thousand per budget year — to the new recreation facility, which will be built on the former lands of the Oxford Regional High School.

Council had previously voted, in October, 2023, to waive approximately $34,500 in building permit fees for the new centre.

Community organizations and other fundraising efforts have added to the pot, as did a $7-million dollar commitment from the Province in the Spring of 2023.  It’s not known exactly how much has been raised in total.

The project, announced in October of 2022, is estimated to have a final cost of around $12-million dollars. An expected contribution from the federal government has not yet materialised. 

The local group behind the project, the “Oxford Community Centre Committee,” has been working behind the scenes to move the project forward. 

Spokesperson Jordan Burkhardt says an update is coming shortly. He says the contribution from the Town is significant, and its “those kinds of contributions that will bring the project into reality.” 

Burkhardt says the committee remains fully committed to bringing a community centre to Oxford. 

The centre, when built, will house a full-size gymnasium, a fitness centre, walking track, the local library, YMCA daycare, an internet café, the Lions Bingo, and offer multi-use space for community rentals.

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